### Rising Crime Rates Among Youths Starting at Age 14, Says SSPCM
The Safety and Citizen Protection Secretary of Tijuana, Fernando Sánchez González, has raised alarms about a troubling trend: increasingly younger individuals are engaging in high-impact criminal activities. Recently, authorities have detained minors as young as 14 years old involved in serious crimes, not limited to minor offenses but extending to organized criminal activities.
Sánchez González expressed significant concern over the involvement of 14 and 15-year-olds in severe crimes, including those usually associated with older criminal circles. On average, between four and ten minors of this age group are apprehended by law enforcement agencies. The appeal of recruiting these young individuals for criminal groups lies in the distinct legal implications for minors, making them attractive targets for exploitation.
Sánchez emphasized the critical importance of crime prevention programs and the role of parents in monitoring their children’s activities, including their consumption of social media content, television programs, and peer groups. Often, these youths come from dysfunctional households with issues such as alcoholism and parental addiction, leading them to seek belonging among their peers or gangs.
He highlighted that early interventions and constant efforts in crime prevention are fundamental. Communities must work together to create a safer environment and reduce substance abuse to limit the illicit market in Tijuana.
### Secondary Article: Increasing Criminal Activity Among Youths
According to recent statistics and reports, cities across the globe are experiencing a rise in youth involvement in criminal activities. The trend is not isolated to Tijuana but reflects a more widespread issue that necessitates comprehensive strategies and robust community support systems to address effectively. Law enforcement agencies worldwide are noticing a similar pattern: younger individuals being drawn into the criminal underworld due to various socio-economic and psychological factors.
Experts call for increased collaboration between governmental bodies, non-profit organizations, schools, and families to establish more effective preventative measures. There is also a growing focus on utilizing technology and social programs to intervene before impressionable youths fall into criminal activities. Educational campaigns aimed at parents and guardians to raise awareness about the signs of at-risk behavior and the resources available for help are essential components of a multifaceted approach to reducing youth crime.
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